Methods for designing a flow conduit and apparatus that measures deflection at multiple points to determine flow rate

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for designing a system that measures deflection at multiple points and in various axes and how it relates to flow measurement are described. A system for continuously measuring the mass flow of a media includes one or more cartridges, one or more displacement sensing devices, and a processor. The one or more cartridges are connected serially between an inflow and outflow media pipe. The one or more displacement-sensing devices is configured to detect displacement changes of the one or more cartridges at two or more separate points on the cartridge(s) when the media flows through the cartridge(s). The processor is configured to calculate the flow of the media based on the detected displacement changes of the one or more cartridges at the one or more separate points.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for continuously measuring the flow of a media, comprising:
 a. one or more cartridges connected serially along the flow of the media between an inflow media pipe and an outflow media pipe; 
 b. one or more displacement sensing devices configured to detect displacement changes of the one or more cartridges at two or more separate points of the one or more cartridges when the media flows through the one or more cartridges; 
 c. a processor configured to calculate the flow of the media based on the detected displacement changes of the one or more cartridges at the two or more separate points. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature-sensing device, wherein the processor is configured to calculate the flow of the media based further on the temperature measured in the one or more cartridges measured by the temperature-sensing device. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensing device, wherein the processor is configured to calculate the flow of the media based further on the pressure measured in the one or more cartridges as measured by the pressure sensing device. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a vibration sensing device, wherein the processor is configured to calculate the flow of the media while compensating for the vibration measured at the one or more cartridges by the vibration sensing device. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an impact sensing device, wherein the processor is configured to calculate the flow of the media while compensating for the impact measured at the one or more cartridges by the impact sensing device. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to calculate the mass of the media in the one or more cartridges. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more displacement sensing devices comprises a laser. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more displacement sensing devices further comprises an optical detector. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more displacement sensing devices further comprises an acoustic detector. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more displacement sensing devices further comprises a mechanical, electro-mechanical or piezoelectric displacement detector. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is flexible. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the displacement sensing device does not physically contact the one or more cartridges. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to acquire and process data points at a rate of up to one femtosecond. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to calculate a flow velocity of the media based on the detected displacement changes of the one or more cartridges at the two or more separate points. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to calculate a mass flow based in part on a calculated flow velocity and material mass. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more displacement sensing devices comprises a plurality of displacement sensing devices. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 1  further comprising one or more supporting columns configured to support the one or more cartridges at any point or points between ends of the one or more cartridges. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 1  further comprising supporting beams oriented laterally at radial spacing intervals. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 1  where the one or more cartridges comprises a plurality of cartridges. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 1  where the media comprises at least one of slurries, sludges, oils, dehydrated media, gaseous media or any other flowable media. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 1  where the one or more cartridges is made of a flexible material. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 1  where the flexibility of the one or more cartridges varies along its length to allow differential displacement at various sections of the one or more cartridges as any media progresses through the one or more cartridges. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 1  where the one or more cartridges contain one or more targets that enhance non-contact or contact deflection measurements. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 1  where the one or more cartridges is configured to have a vertical linear displacement proportional to the mass of the flowing media. 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 1  where the one or more cartridges comprise an abrasion or erosion resistant liner. 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 1  where the one or more cartridges comprise a chemically resistant or corrosion resistant liner. 
     
     
       27. The system of  claim 1  where the one or more cartridges comprises a microbial or biohazard resistant liner. 
     
     
       28. The system of  claim 1  where the one or more cartridges comprise a liner resistant to extreme temperature environments. 
     
     
       29. The system of  claim 1  where the one or more cartridges comprises embedded organic or inorganic fibrous materials. 
     
     
       30. The system of  claim 29  where the embedded fibrous materials are wound in a spiral configuration, or woven to form a fabric. 
     
     
       31. The system of  claim 1  where the processor is configured to calculate the flow of a media based upon the displacement at one or more target locations on the one or more cartridges. 
     
     
       32. The system of  claim 1  where the processor is configured to generate a characteristic Process Signature for the flow and density process variations of a media based upon the displacement at the two or more separate points. 
     
     
       33. The system of  claim 1  where the processor is configured to generate process warning and action alarms for preset process variations of any media to facilitate Statistical Process Control. 
     
     
       34. The system of  claim 1  where the processor is configured to generate a characteristic Process Signature to determine the degree of mixing or homogenization of multi component media based upon the displacement at the two or more separate points. 
     
     
       35. The system of  claim 1  where the processor is configured to generate a characteristic process signature to determine the degree of mixing, pulverization, deflocculation or refinement of media based upon an RM Signature generated by the displacement at the two or more separate points. 
     
     
       36. The system of  claim 1  where placement and orientation of reinforcements or additives within the one or more cartridges optimize the displacement changes. 
     
     
       37. The system of  claim 1  where placement and orientation of reinforcements and matrix materials within the one or more cartridges maximize the structural integrity of connecting pipes to the one or more cartridges. 
     
     
       38. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inflow media pipe and the outflow media pipe arranged on opposite sides of the one or more cartridges and oriented along a same direction as the one or more cartridges. 
     
     
       39. A system for continuously measuring the flow of a media, comprising:
 a first cartridge connected serially along the flow of the media between an inflow media pipe and an intermediate media pipe; 
 a second cartridge connected serially along the flow of the media between the intermediate media pipe and an outflow media pipe; 
 a first displacement-sensing device configured to detect displacement changes of the first cartridge when the media flows through the first cartridge; 
 a second displacement-sensing device configured to detect displacement changes of the second cartridge when the media flows through the second cartridge; and 
 a processor configured to calculate the flow of the media based on the detected displacement changes of the first and second cartridges. 
 
     
     
       40. The system of  claim 39 , wherein the inflow media pipe and the outflow media pipe arranged on opposite sides of the first cartridge and the second cartridge and oriented along a same direction as the first cartridge and the second cartridge. 
     
     
       41. The system of  claim 39 , further comprising a temperature-sensing device, wherein the processor is configured to calculate the flow of the media based further on the temperature measured in the first cartridge or the second cartridge measured by the temperature-sensing device. 
     
     
       42. The system of  claim 39 , further comprising a pressure sensing device, wherein the processor is configured to calculate the flow of the media based further on the pressure measured in the first cartridge or the second cartridge as measured by the pressure sensing device. 
     
     
       43. A system for continuously measuring the flow of a media, comprising:
 a. one or more cartridges connected serially along the flow of the media between an inflow media pipe and an outflow media pipe; 
 b. one or more displacement sensing devices adapted to monitor displacement changes of the one or more cartridges at two or more separate points of the one or more cartridges when the media flows through the one or more cartridges; 
 c. a base configured to provide stability for the one or more displacement sensing devices; 
 d. a pressure sensing device; 
 e. a temperature sensing device; 
 f. a vibration sensing device; 
 g. an impact sensing device; and 
 h. a processor configured to calculate the flow of the media based on the displacement changes of the one or more cartridges at the two or more separate points as well as variations in temperature or pressure. 
 
     
     
       44. The system of  claim 43 , where the inflow media pipe and the outflow media pipe are connected to the input and the output of the one or more cartridges via flanges or couplings. 
     
     
       45. The system of  claim 44  where the geometry of the flanges or couplings to the one or more cartridges facilitate a high integrity mechanical structural connection between the flanges or couplings and the one or more cartridges. 
     
     
       46. The system of  claim 44  where the geometry of the flanges or couplings facilitate a high integrity structural chemical bond between the flanges or couplings and the one or more cartridges. 
     
     
       47. The system of  claim 44  where the flanges or couplings comprise metal, ceramic, organic or composite material. 
     
     
       48. The system of  claim 43  where the system comprise one or more supporting beams configured to support the inflow media pipe and the outflow media pipe. 
     
     
       49. The system of  claim 48  where base and supporting beams are further connected to a grounded surface. 
     
     
       50. The system of  claim 49  where, the one or more displacement sensing devices, the pressure sensing device and temperature sensing device reside within an enclosure and housing for the one or more cartridges. 
     
     
       51. The system of  claim 43  where the one or more cartridges comprises an outer pigmented layer identifying a pressure rating. 
     
     
       52. The system of  claim 43 , wherein the inflow media pipe and the outflow media pipe arranged on opposite sides of the one or more cartridges and oriented along a same direction as the one or more cartridges.